The campaign
Battle of Changban
长坂之战
In 208, retreating south through Jing province with a long column of followers, Liu Bei was overtaken at Changban by Cao Cao’s pursuing cavalry. Liu Bei escaped after sending Zhang Fei with twenty cavalry to hold the rear; Zhang Fei took position at the river and held the bridge, and the pursuers did not dare approach. Zhao Yun carried Liu Bei’s young son Liu Shan and protected Lady Gan, and both survived. At Changban Liu Bei also met Lu Su, who urged cooperation with Sun Quan against Cao Cao — the first step toward the alliance that fought at Red Cliffs.
See the realm in 209 on the historical atlasThe people
Who fought it
Novel vs history
How the novel retells it
Romance of the Three Kingdoms changes parts of this story. These fact-checks show what the records say instead.
Sources
Historical sources
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书六·关张马黄赵传
During the retreat at Changban, Liu Bei sent Zhang Fei with twenty cavalry to hold the rear.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书六·关张马黄赵传
Zhang Fei took position at the river and held the bridge while Liu Bei escaped.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书六·关张马黄赵传
The biography says the pursuing force did not dare approach Zhang Fei at the bridge; it does not describe a rout of hundreds of thousands.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书六·关张马黄赵传
At Changban, Zhao Yun carried Liu Bei’s young son Liu Shan and protected Lady Gan; both survived.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书六·关张马黄赵传
After the Changban retreat, Zhao Yun was promoted to General of the Yamen.
- Historical record三国志 · 吴书九·周瑜鲁肃吕蒙传
He met Liu Bei at Changban and urged cooperation with Sun Quan against Cao Cao.